led, not fluent, headed after 4 out, weakened after next
tracked leader, hard ridden to challenge after 3 out, stayed on into 2nd after next, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, led before 3 out, headed and jumped slowly next, stayed on same pace from last
settled in 4th, took closer order 4 out, led before 2 out, driven clear, readily
ULYSEES was never really travelling when failing to land the odds at Market Rasen but maybe this big step up in trip will see the easy Stratford winner recoup losses. Prophets Prayer was pulled up early at Newton Abbot having been badly hampered. He’d been knocking on the door previously while Gamain is a sound stayer, though hasn’t won over hurdles in almost two years. Beautiful People won over track and trip last October but hasn’t been seen since pulling up at Taunton in December.
Gamain (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up in touch, reminders after 13th, chased leaders 15th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on into modest 3rd before last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Flying Verse (11-4) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Ulysses (GER) 3-10fav (11-10) Chased leaders, mistake 3 out, every chance every chance next, led before last, headed soon after, kept on under pressure, not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Oksana (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Prophets Prayer (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Behind when badly hampered 2nd, soon pulled up, at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Beautiful People (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, weakened before 4 out, pulled up, at Taunton 3m hcp (5) gd in Dec.
